Colossus (Six Flags Magic Mountain)

Roller coaster in the United States
Watch the on-ride POV
Colossus
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Location Valencia, California, USA
Coordinates 34°25′39″N 118°35′52″W / 34.427553°N 118.597860°W / 34.427553; -118.597860
Park section Colossus County Fair
Status Defunct
Operated June 29, 1978 to August 16, 2014
Cost $6,000,000 USD
Rider height 48 inch minimum
Replaced by Twisted Colossus
Statistics
Manufacturer International Amusement Devices
Type Wooden - Twin
Hourly capacity 2600
Propulsion Chain lift hill
Height 125 feet
Drop 115 feet
Top speed 62 mph
Length 4325 feet
Inversions 0
Duration 2:30
G-Force 3.2
Rolling stock
Manufacturer Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (1978-1987)
Morgan (1988-2014)
Riders per train 24
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Colossus was a twin wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, USA. It opened in 1978 as the tallest roller coaster in the world, eight days after Gemini at Cedar Point, which was 0.3 feet taller than Colossus. Colossus was built by International Amusement Devices and was modified several times throughout its history.

History

Colossus opened on June 29, 1978.

A 20-year-old woman fell to her death from the ride on December 26, 1978. The park stated that the fatality was not linked to a malfunction.[1]

The ride suffered from extensive downtime and was closed in late May 1979. Coinciding with Six Flags' purchase of the park in June, the roller coaster was re-profiled, the trains were replaced with new rolling stock from Philadelphia Toboggan Company and the brake system among other mechanical components were replaced. The ride was reconstructed by Frontier Construction, with both Don Rosser and Bill Cobb's companies involved in design and engineering work. It reopened on December 22, 1979.[2][3]

In 1988, the PTC trains were replaced with rolling stock from Morgan. In 1991, the two camelback hills beside the parking lot were replaced with a flat brake run, but the outline of the hills could still be seen underneath the brakes. This allowed a higher theoretical capacity. On September 8, 2014, Colossus caught fire. Less than two weeks after the ride closed, Six Flags announced that Colossus would reopen in 2015 as Twisted Colossus following a renovation by Rocky Mountain Construction. Prior to its closure in 2014, Colossus used Psyclone's trains to run backward for the Fright Fest events.[4]

Colossus closed on August 16, 2014 after a 36-hour continuous riding event.[5] Much of Colossus' supports were used in the construction of Twisted Colossus, a steel hybrid roller coaster from Rocky Mountain Construction.

Design

Elements

Color scheme

White track and supports.

Trains

6 trains with 6 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 24 riders per train.

Images

References

  1. Ramos, George (1978-12-27). "Woman Killed in Fall From Coaster". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  2. Colossus - Shane's Amusement Attic
  3. "Huge Roller Coaster Opens for Festivities". The Daily Herald. 1979-12-26. p. 27. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
  4. "13 Historical Artifacts of Six Flags Magic Mountain Still at the Park Today". Airtime Thrills.
  5. "Colossus' closing: Riders take on 36-hour marathon".

External links

  • Colossus on the Roller Coaster DataBase.
Tallest wooden roller coaster
June 1978 - May 1981
Preceded by
Montaña Rusa (Juegos Mecánicos de Chapultepec)
Screamin' Eagle
Tallest wooden roller coaster
June 1978 - May 1981
Succeeded by
American Eagle
Tallest roller coaster drop
June 1978 - April 1979
Preceded by
Screamin' Eagle
Tallest roller coaster drop
June 1978 - April 1979
Succeeded by
The Beast
Fastest roller coaster
June 1978 – April 1979
Preceded by
Cyclone
Fastest roller coaster
June 1978 – April 1979
Succeeded by
Screamin' Eagle


Articles on Six Flags Magic Mountain